Following the UK Government’s proposals to assess if new homes and offices should be required to install charging points as standard and for new street lighting columns with on-street parking to have charging points in appropriate locations, will the Cabinet Secretary consider similar proposals for Wales?
To successfully decarbonise transport in Wales it is essential to deploy all our policy levers to ensure we have the necessary supporting infrastructure for electric vehicles, including the provision of new charging points.
I recently consulted on a revised version of Planning Policy Wales, which includes a requirement for a minimum 10% of new non-residential car parking spaces to have charging points. I am also currently consulting on proposed Permitted Development Rights for the installation of electric vehicle charging points in designated off‑street parking spaces.
Recent amendments to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) must be transposed by spring 2020. The EPBD amendments set out electric vehicle recharging point infrastructure requirements for certain residential and non-residential developments. Our current intentions are to transpose these requirements through our devolved Building Regulation powers.
We will look at promoting the integration of charging points with new street lighting provision where it is appropriate and technically possible, taking on board lessons being learned from projects across the UK aimed at facilitating charging access for all residents.